i love christmas movies, and last year i rented white christmas and watched it for the first time and really enjoyed it.  this year i rented holiday inn, another old christmas movie i'd never seen but that people speak highly of.

they are basically the same movie.  they use the same set for the country inn where most of the action takes place.  they have the same actor (bing crosby) playing the main character.  they both highlight the song "white christmas."  how is this allowed?

however, they are not the same movie.  holiday inn has a black character (the cook, obvi) who sings a song about "darkies."  bing crosby and the female lead WEAR BLACK FACE IN ONE SCENE.  black.  face.  i almost couldn't finish watching the movie.

in summary:
holiday inn - 1942 - WTF, do not watch.
white christmas - 1954 - great movie, no black face, recommended by miss claire.

the end.